Late20th

The late twentieth century refers to the latter portion of the 20th century, typically viewed as roughly from the mid-1970s through 1999. It was characterized by substantial political, economic, technological, and cultural change that followed the postwar era, setting the stage for the digital age and the modern global order.

Politically and economically, the period saw the decline of the Cold War with events such as the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. These developments contributed to a shift toward greater globalization and new security dynamics. Neoliberal economic policies emphasizing market liberalization, privatization, and deregulation were influential in several countries. The era also endured financial volatility, including episodes like the stock market crash of 1987 and the Asian financial crisis of 1997–98.

Technological and cultural change accelerated markedly. Personal computers became increasingly common in homes and workplaces, and telecommunications expanded with mobile devices. The growth of the Internet and the World Wide Web after 1991 transformed information access, commerce, and communication. Global media, entertainment industries, and consumer electronics broadened cultural exchange, while new genres and forms emerged across music, film, and popular culture.

Societal and environmental developments also shaped the period. Movements for civil rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ visibility progressed in many regions, accompanied by rising environmental awareness. International cooperation on climate and sustainable development gained prominence, with major conferences in the early 1990s and the groundwork for later policy measures. The late twentieth century thus served as a bridge between pre-digital globalization and the rapidly connected world of the twenty-first century.